Billericay Parents Forum

History of the Forum
In 1994, Billericay Early Years Forum (BEYF) was formed to provide support both to parents and professionals about early years issues. This included the production of booklets on a number of subjects, including literacy and numeracy, which were circulated Essex-wide by the Essex County Council Early Years Advisor.

By 1999, the BEYF found that much of the work in which it had been involved was now being covered by the Essex Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership. Although there was excellent support for parents both before and after the birth of your child, there appeared to be nowhere locally to turn to for help as your children grew older.

BEYF decided to run a year’s pilot project to establish exactly what parents needed locally. After ‘buying in’ courses from experienced providers, it was decided to develop courses ourselves using the Family Caring Trust programmes.

Having held its first in-house courses, BEYF reviewed its aims and objectives and started to concentrate on issues relating to parenting. In 2003, the name was changed to Billericay Parents Forum.

The Forum achieved Charitable Status at the beginning of 2008.

Our aim has always been to run free courses and we have been lucky in receiving grants. Currently we are part funded by a two and a half year partnership agreement with Essex County Council through their Local Priorities Fund.